Do you think Julio Cesar Chavez was past his prime when he fought Whitaker? Would the result have been different had it taken place two or three years earlier?
Not quite past it as such but getting there. He still managed to go the distance and be competitive with one of the best fighters in the world, so he definitely still had some of that spark. Two years earlier, I see Chavez still struggling, but maybe be lucky enough to get a decision over him.
Same result. I thought Pea handled him without too much trouble, although Chavez would've done a bit better two or three years earlier.
Chavez was past his best at that point. And, he was no welterweight. But, it wasn't like he was shot or anything. A few years earlier, and at 140, Chavez has a much better chance of prevailing. In spite of the draw being dubious, it was not a one sided fight by any means.
He was no more past it than Whitaker was, and welter wasn't Pea's natural weight either. As it was Chavez weighed in small at 142. Quit making excuses for him, his statue can still stand and all. Idol of millions, blah blah blah.
I thought Chavez's absolute prime was around the Edwin Rosario-Jose Luis Ramirez fights in 1987-88 when he was 25/26. He was still excellent for a while after that, but he never seemed to be as good as he was after he went up to 140 - where, ironically, he became an even bigger star. Ideally, they (Chavez and Whitaker) should've met in 1988 ... but Whitaker lost the decision to Ramirez earlier that year. Or Whitaker should've challenged Chavez instead of Ramirez. But the Duvas went with the champ with a 100 fights worth of wear and tear on him instead of the undefeated guy with 60 wins.
I kinda think Sweet Pea handles Chavez at any weight, though I think lightweight is a place where Chavez could get a win. Past 135 pounds Chavez was beatable.
Not more so than Pea, both were already full blown coke addicts by then and 147 wasn't their best weight class although Pea managed to win a belt at 154 in an underrated win vs Vasquez. The dream fight would have been in 88 at 135 when both were in their absolute prime. But Don King corruption caused the fight to fall through and we were settled with the dubious robbery draw in 93.
Chavez would've beaten Whitaker if they fought at Lightweight in 1988. Whitaker had to get off the floor in 87 to decision Roger Mayweather, a guy Chavez steamrolled in two rounds previously. That spooked the Duvas. The Duvas figured Ramirez would be easier. He was about finished and had more than a 100 fights while Chavez blew everyone's minds against Rosario. He was 60-0 and seemingly getting better. The Whitaker camp took on the easier titleholder and it bit them in the butt when Ramirez got the decision.
Every time someone deservedly beats a legend/atg the other boxer never gets credit, they were never ‘quite the same as they was’ Maybe Whittaker was just that good? Chavez was 31 and hadn’t taken any damage of note
Well to be fair to Whitaker he did whoop Mayweather, outside of that one knockdown. And Pernell Whitaker wasn't a champion at that point and still learning. Your also forgetting that when Chavez fought Mayweather a 2nd time, that it was much more closer competitive fight compared to their 1st meeting. I thought Mayweather was only behind by a point or two up until the stoppage. But i do agree that Pernell Whitaker, wasn't quite ready to face Chavez at that point. Even though Whitaker was robbed against Ramirez. I felt in a way it was good he didn't get the decision, he learnt from that fight and become a better fighter. 1989 would of been better for Whitaker, when he schooled Haugen and Ramirez in 2nd fight. That was his peak at Lightweight.
I'm not forgetting anything. I said Chavez was at his best at lightweight in 1987 and 1988 before he moved up. Whitaker could've challenged Chavez for the title in 1988, and his team chose to go after Ramirez instead. Simple as that. Pointing out Mayweather did better against Chavez in their rematch at 140 four years after their first meeting supports my point about Chavez being better before he moved up.
